Windows 8, and Windows 2012, is set to RTM in Early August. Should hit TechNet within a week or two after. October is the timeframe when manufacturers and system builders should get their wares available to the consumer. All the wait and it’s finally here. For better or worse for some people. A lot of very conflicting opinions on this release. 99% of it aimed at the Metro interface.

For the first time, we provided details on Windows 8 availability. Tami confirmed that Windows 8 is on track to Release to Manufacturing (RTM) the first week of August. For enterprise customers with Software Assurance benefits, they will have full access to Windows 8 bits as early as August. Additionally, she noted that RTM is when we’ll be turning on the commerce platform so that developers can start earning money for their apps – we’ll have more to share on the Windows Store for developers blog soon. Of course, right now with the Windows 8 Release Preview, all apps are still free for people to try.